Shoulder-braces.



NQ. 840,895. J PATENTBD JAN. a, 1907. c. c. ARMSTRONG.

.SHOULDER BRAGES.

n APPLIUATION FILED B. 6. 1906.

2 SHEETS- SHEET 1.

No. 840,895. `PA'LENTBD JAN. s, 1907.

c. C. ARMSTRONG. SHOULDER BRAGES.

APFLIOATION FILED IEB. 8, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

...Ma w ,j MMM/M/ CHARLES OQARMSTRONG, OF MARYSVILLE OHIO.

SHOULDER-BRACES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 8, 1907.

Application led February 6, 1906. Serial No. 299.808.

To all whom, it may concer-71,:

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. ARM- STRONG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marysville, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoulder-Braces, of which the following is a specification.

' My invention relates to shoulder-braces and garment-supports, and is designed to correct round shoulders and give to the wearer an erect and easy carriage.

The invention consists in the features, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view of the invention looking from the rear. Fig. 2 is a view looking from the side, and Fig. 3 is a view of'a detail. Figs. 4 and 5 show front and rear views, respectively, of the invention in place.

In the drawings, l indicates an archshaped piece, one for each shoulder, adapted in shape to fit the shoulder of the wearer` and having a pad or bearing 2 at the front to rest upon the body of the wearer at a point slightly below the shoulder. These archpieces have downward extensions at their rear, which are adapted to lie along the back, extending down over the shoulder-blades,

- and at their lower ends these are connected by a cross-piece securely fastened to the lower'ends of the said extensions by rivets or in any other suitable way. This cross-piece is extensible, being made in two pieces 3 4, one of which has guide-lips between which the other piece slides, and these pieces are held together by a pin or screw 5, passing through the piece 3 into any one of a series of openings in the piece 4. This cross-piece is made of spring metal, as well as the archpieces l and their rear extensions, and they are of such form, arrangement, and degree of iiexibility that while the wearer is permitted to have all necessary freedom of movement in performing his work or in exercise because of the resilience of the said parts the tension of the braces will be such as to hold the shoulders back of the wearer in correct position.

As an important adjunct to the parts above described having the spring feature I employ the garment-supporting means consisting of the tabs 5/ to engage the waistband-buttons, said tabs being carried by the flexible cords or pieces 6, which pass through the guide eyes or leathers 7 at the lower ends of the straps or Suspenders 8, formed of textile fabric or other material and which are adjustable as to length. The upper ends of the suspender-straps are held by the clips or pieces 9, pivoted to the lower ends of the liexible metal pieces or springs above described. By this arrangement the garmentsupports will automatically adjust themselves to the various positions assumed by the wearer in walking, sitting, stooping, or the like, the tab-cords moving freely through the eyes or leathers above mentionedto meet the changed conditions.

The garment-supporting means further acts to hold the brace-frame in place, exerting a downward pressure thereon to keep it seated on the shoulders.

It will be observed that the garment-supports are used only at the rear of the device, no such supports being necessary at the front to hold the garment up at this point, as

the tabs mentioned above are adaptedto engage the rear buttons and those slightly forward of the medial line of the sides, such buttons being in the usual position designed for Suspenders. j

'Ihe front pads may have any desired form of ball or swivel joint with the frame members.

The shoulder-brace presents' material advantages by reason of the arched structure of the arms, there being no portions of the brace encircling the arms but, on the contrary, the ends of the arched pieces terminate at points on the fleshy portions of the shoulders at the front and in such a manner that they press the shoulders backwardly. By reason of the fact that the trousers are supported by the brace the weight has a tendency to hold the body erect with the shoulders drawn back, giving perfectly free expansion to the chest with nothing to chafe or irritate the flesh under the arms. The arched portion of the cross-connecting piece being made of very ilexible material allows of the free action of the body, and yet has sufficient tension to bring the shoulders back when relaxed.

It will be understood that by the term arch I refer to the structure whereby the IOO portions passing over the shoulders termi- 2. A shoulder-brace comprising the arch` portions of resilient material and the extensible cross-piece connecting the same at the rear whereby the lower rear ends may be set nearer or farther from each other, substantially as described.

3. A shoulder-brace and garmentfsupport comprising the frame composed of the arch portions of resilient material having terminal iront bearings to rest against the body ofthe wearer and the garment-supports attached at the rear of said frame, substantially as described.

4. A shoulder-brace and garment-support comprisin the frame composed of the arch portions o resilient material having terminal front bearings to rest against the body of the wearer and the garment-sup orts attached at the rear of said frame, saidJ garment-supports comprising a pair of tabs for each end ofthe hame, a cord Jfor each pair of tabs con. nected with the frame and having freedom of adjustment in relation to said frame, substantially as described.

. 5. In combination the shoulder-brace frame comprising the arch portions, one for each shoulder, a pair of tabs for each arch,

portion, cords connecting the tabs, means having a sliding connection with the cords and a pivotal connection with the frame, one of said tabs of each pair being for connection with the rear button and the other of each pair for connection with a side or front button, the front ends of the arch portions being adapted to bear against the body and being free from garment-supporting means, substantially as described. f

6. In combination the two arched portions of resilient material having terminal front ends to rest against the body ot the wearer, an adjustable connection between the rear ends of the arched portions whereby the arches may be set nearer to or farther from each other and garment-supporting means `extending from the rear ends of the arched portions downwardly, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES C. ARMSTRONG. Witnesses:

HOWARD M. JONES, M. G. WILLIAMS. 

